Hong Kong officials provide update on dengue fever

The Centre for Health Protection (CHP) recently gave an updated report including the latest number of dengue fever cases in Hong Kong.

Between Sept. 18 and Thursday, there were four new dengue fever cases. All of these cases involved patients who had traveled to Singapore (one case), the Philippines (two cases), or Mexico (one case) during the incubation period.

The most recent count from Thursday shows 81 cases for 2015. One of these cases was local, one is currently under investigation, and 79 were imported.

"Dengue viruses encompass four different serotypes,” the spokesman said. “The symptoms of first infection with one serotype are usually mild, but subsequent infections with other serotypes even years afterward are more likely to result in severe dengue, also known as dengue hemorrhagic fever. Severe dengue is serious and potentially fatal. Without proper treatment, the case fatality rate of severe dengue can exceed 20 percent.”

The CHP has encouraged the public to maintain mosquito control, environmental hygiene, and personal protective measures, whether they are staying locally in Hong Kong or traveling.

"As the dengue activity in southern Taiwan remains high, the public are reminded to take anti-mosquito measures when travelling to the area and Southeast Asian countries, in order to prevent
dengue fever," a CHP spokesman said.